Study of human erythrocyte membrane proteins by 2-dimensional electrophoresis

Fractionation of human erythrocyte membrane proteins was performed using a modification of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis described by P. O'Farrel with isoelectric point plotted against molecular mass. All major erythrocyte proteins, including high molecular weight proteins, such as spectrin and band 3 protein, identified by one-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, were visualized by silver staining of two-dimensional gels. All in all about 50 polypeptides were distinguished on two-dimensional electrophoretic patterns. Preliminary protein map was developed.     

Reproductive life history of ocelotsLeopardus pardalis in southern Texas

The ocelotLeopardus pardalis Linnaeus, 1758 is an endangered felid in the United States currently restricted to southern Texas. The objectives of our study were to obtain data on ocelot parturition dates, fecundity, sex ratios, den characteristics, and first year survival, all of which are critical in development of population viability models. Sixteen parturition events were recorded ranging from mid-April to late December for 12 wild ocelots. Cumulatively, litters consisted of 1 or 2 kittens (ˉ = 1.2 ± 0.44 SD). Cumulative sex ratio was 1∶2.5 (male:female); however, there was no significant difference between the observed sex ratio and a 1∶1 sex ratio. Ten den sites were in close proximity (≤ 10 m) to dense thornshrub. Adult female ocelots used 2 to 4 den sites for each litter with distance between consecutively occupied dens ranging from 110 to 280 m (ˉ = 158 m ± 93 SD). An estimated annual survival for ocelots 0 to 1 year of age was 0.68. Evidence suggests that ocelots in the wild may breed more frequently than had been previously hypothesized.     

Chemotactic assay for biological effects of silver nanoparticles

A method is proposed for assessing the biocidal efficacy of water-dispersed nanoparticles of silver. It is based on negative chemotaxis of the plasmodia of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum. Biocidal and repellent effects were compared for silver nanoparticles, Ag⁺ ions, and AOT in solution and in the agar gel. In such characteristics as increasing the period of auto-oscillations of contractile activity, decreasing the area of spreading on substrate, and substrate preference in spatial tests, silver nanoparticles proved to be substantially more effective than Ag⁺ and AOT. The lethal concentrations of the nanoparticles were close to those found earlier for bacteria and viruses. The chemotactic tests allow quantitative assessment of the biological reaction and monitoring its dynamics; in resolution, they are superior to the tests based on the lethal action of biocidal agents.     

Effects of 1-ethynylpyrene and related inhibitors of P450 isozymes upon benzo[a]pyrene metabolism by liver microsomes

The effects of three aryl acetylenes, 1-ethynylpyrene (EP), 2-ethynylnaphthalene (EN) and 3-ethynylperylene (EPE), upon the metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) by microsomes isolated from rat liver were investigated. These aryl acetylenes all inhibited the total metabolism of BaP. Formation of BaP 7,8-dihydrodiol and BaP tetrol products by microsomal preparations from rats that had been pretreated with 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) were preferentially inhibited. The effects of EP upon the metabolism of BaP 7,8-dihydrodiol by microsomes from rat liver were also studied. This aryl acetylene strongly inhibited the formation of BaP tetrols from BaP 7,8-dihydrodiol by liver microsomes both from untreated rats and from rats pretreated with 3MC, but enhanced the conversion of the BaP dihydrodiol into other metabolites.     

The first record of the shore fly Paracoenia fumosalis (Diptera, Ephydridae) in the Palaearctic region

Paracoenia fumosalis Cresson previously known only from the USA and Canada is recorded in the Palaearctic Region for the first time. The adults were collected near a thermal hydrosulfuric spring in the Geiser Valley in Kamchatka. A key to species of the genus Paracoenia occurring in Russia is given.